In response to: Vassilios Dougalis ’71

Dimitrios Kostas

1 Month Ago

In Loving Memory, From a Former Student

Vassilios was not only an exceptional educator but also a man of profound humanity, compassion, and integrity. Throughout his life, he devoted himself wholeheartedly to the service of his students, teaching both undergraduate and postgraduate courses with passion, clarity, and tireless commitment.

I vividly remember that during a time when the Department of Mathematics was occupied, he ensured that classes in Numerical Analysis continued without disruption, relocating them to alternative spaces such as the Academia. His determination to maintain the continuity of education, even under difficult circumstances, was deeply inspiring.

What truly set Vassilios apart, however, was his extraordinary sense of humanity. During the final stages of his life, while he was battling cancer, he chose not to withdraw from his duties. Though he had every reason to rest and focus on his health, he continued to teach us — week after week — with quiet strength and unwavering resolve. His presence in the classroom, in pain yet smiling, was not only an act of courage but a profound gesture of love and responsibility. He could have stayed home, yet he stood before us, always putting his students first.

Vassilios was more than a professor. He was a mentor, a guide, and above all, a deeply humane individual. He saw each student not merely as a pupil, but as a person — worthy of respect, encouragement, and care. He listened. He inspired. He gave his time generously, and he gave his heart fully.

His legacy lives on not just in the knowledge he imparted, but in the values he embodied — kindness, sacrifice, humility, and dedication. I will never forget him — for his brilliance, his courage, and above all, his humanity. He was, and always will be, a shining example of what it means to live a life in service of others.

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